Heath plant named Rosemarie

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath named `Rosemarie`, a seedling of unknown pollen parent growing in a field of Erica persolute `Sunset`, the variety believed to be the seed parent, which is principally distinguished from its parents and other known related varieties by its light, orchid pink colored blooms, early bloom time of December through February, its slower growth rate, its shorter height, and its natural abundant branching.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of theEricaceae family which has been named Erica persoluta `Rosemarie` by theassignee of the invention. This new heath variety was discovered by theinventor as a seedling of unknown pollen parentage growing in acultivated field of Erica persoluta and Erica persoluta `Sunset`, (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 5,336), the cut-flower variety believed to be the seedparent. It was noticed because of its light, orchid pink colored blooms;and the following characteristics making it desirable for pot plantculture: slower growth rate, shorter height by at least one footcompared to the field, cut flower heath varieties, natural abundantbranching and compact dense appearance. The new variety resembles itsseed parent Erica persoluta `Sunset` in its blooming habit from Decemberthrough February.

The new variety is desirable for potted plant culture because of itsslower growth rate and natural branching with little or no prunningwhich results in a shorter plant with a full, dense appearance. Theclosest variety of heath, cultivated as a pot plant of which I am aware,is Erica persolutaand it requires numerous pruning to achieve abundantbranching and the desired full, dense appearance.

The distinguishing charcteristics which are outstanding in my newvariety and which distinguish it from Erica persoluta are:

1. early bloom time of December through February,

2. light, orchid pink colored blooms,

3. slower growth rate and shorter height

4. natural abundant branching with minimal pruning, and

5. compact, dense appearance.

Since the inventor's discovery of the new plant, the assignee, under thesupervision of the inventor has reproduced it through successivegenerations by means of cuttings and has found that its natural denseand compact appearance and light, orchid pink colored blooms remain truefrom generation to generation and appear to be firmly fixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of a potted plant of thenew variety illustrating the overall appearance and form of the plant,abundant branching, short height dense compact appearance and light,orchid pink blooms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following is a detailed description of the new variety with colordesignations according to the R.H.S. colour chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, England. The following description isbased on observations of well fertilized plants of 12 to 14 months ofage from initial propagation which were grown outside under saran in acommercial nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif., where tempertures averagefrom 55 to 65 degrees F. during the summer months, and 45 to 55 degreesF. during the winter months.

Color designation and other values stated may deviate slightly from thestated values from flowering to flowering, but the deviations will bewithin the range expected from varying environmental, seasonal, andcultural conditions.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Erica persoluta `Sunset`.

Pollen parent.--Unknown.

Classification:

Botanic.--Erica persoluta Rosemarie`.

Commercial.--`Rosemarie`.

Form: Perennial.

Shape: Generally upright, stems spreading to proudce fullness of plant.

Branching: Naturally abundant with minimal or no pruning.

Growth: Slow growth rate resulting in reduced height of plant.

Rooting Time: Three Weeks.

Foliage: Abundant, with tiny needle-like leaves over entire plant.

Size of leaf.--Mean 1/8 long and less than 1/16" "wide".

Shape of leaf.--Acerose like.

Character.--Sulcate.

Color.--R.H.S. 144A.

Texture.13 Smooth.

Hardiness.--Can tolerate a temperature range of 20 to 120 degreesFahrenheit.

Disease resistance.--Considerable resistance to fungus type diseases.Common diseases include phythium and phytopthora.

Seed production.--Sparce; comercially produced asexually by cuttings.

Effects of weather.--Can tolerate freezing temperatures for one week.Over 90 degree F. temperatures stress the plant.

In general, the foliage is too tiny to determine further characteristicsby plant observation.

THE BUD

Size:

Length.--1/16".

Diameter.--1/16" and less.

Rate of opening: Rapid, progessive and continouous beginning at the baseof stem and progressing to the tip of the stem.

Petals: Corolline flowers in which the sepals are relativelyinsignificant.

Color: R.H.S. 70D in early, beginning stage to 70C in the late stagebefore flowering.

INFLORESCENCE

Blooming habit: Annually, beginning in December and continuing throughFebruary.

Size of bloom: 1/8 by 1/16".

Borne: Compound raceme and has clusters with as many as seven terminalbuds.

Shape: Urecolate.

Appearance: Satiny.

Color: R.H.S. 66D in overall appearance of the plant.

Flower stem:

Length..sub.[Mean 1/4" to 2".

Color.--R.H.S. 177D.

Strength.--Woody and supple.

Discoloration: Fades slightly.

Effects of weather: Prolonged exposure to hot or wet weather isdetrimental to plant appearance. Extended periods of hot dry sunshinewill accelerate blooming and cause blooms to fade and decline morequickly, shortening its lasting quality. Extended wet weather will causemore mature blooms in the clusters to turn brown.

Persistence: Blooms persists long after the stem ceases to draw water.

Fragrance: Mild.

Lasting quality:

On plant.--2 months.

As a cut flower.--two weeks.

The outstanding characteristics of this new plant resides in its slowgrowth rate and abundant branching giving it a full, dense appearancemaking it desirable as a potted plant; its light, orchid pink coloredblooms and its early blooming in December through February for theValentines Day market, whereas Erica persoluta does not begin to bloomuntil March.

    ______________________________________                                        TABLE OF COMPARISON                                                                                     ERICA                                               PLANT     NEW CULTIVAR    PERSOLUTA                                           ______________________________________                                        Form      Short Dense appearing                                                                         woody shrub                                                   compact woody shrub                                                 Shape     Upright, stems  Upright, stems                                                spreading to produce                                                                          spreading to                                                  fullness of plant                                                                             produce fullness                                                              of plant                                            Branching Generous, minimal or                                                                          several                                                       no pruning necessary                                                                          pruning necessary                                                             to encourage                                                                  branching and fullness                              Growth    Naturally upright bat                                                                         upright with woody                                            short and branching                                                                           flexible strength                                             with woody, flexible                                                          strength                                                            Height    a 4" pot will be 8"                                                                           a 4" pot will be 10"                                          to 9" high in 18 months                                                                       to 12" high in 18                                             growing time with little                                                                      months growing time                                           or no pruning   with numerous                                                                 prunings                                            Blooming  Annual, Dec. thru Feb.                                                                        Annual, early                                       season                    March thru late Mar.                                Foliage                                                                       Color     R.H.S. 144A     R.H.S. 143A with 59A                                                          streaking thru the                                                            leaves                                              Size      1/8"            Same                                                Shape     Acerose like    Same                                                Quantity  Abundant        Same                                                Bloom                                                                         Size      1/8" × 1/16"                                                                            3/16" × 1/16"                                 Borne     In clusters with                                                                              Same                                                          terminal flowers                                                    Shape     Urceolate       Ovoid                                               Color     R.H.S. 66D      R.H.S. 70A to 70B                                   Discoloration                                                                           Fades slightly  Does not fade                                       ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Ericaceaefamily substantially as herein show and described.